Abstract: A culture cell for growing animal cells in vitro has sides and a bottom forming a volume. The volume contains a layer of nanofiber upon which animal cells can be cultured. The layer of nanofiber can be oriented or non-oriented. Multiple layers can be placed in the volume, where the layers have different composition and/or different porosity. The nanofiber can be, for example, surface treated or of a core-shell construction.

Abstract: The present invention includes molding additives and molded materials. This invention also includes machines or electronic apparatus using these aspects of the invention. The present invention also includes methods and processes for making and using these devices and systems. In a preferred embodiment, a dye that fluoresces via ultraviolet absorption is dispersed in an organic additive. The additive is mixed with a molding material that is then formed into a shaped article by compaction. The resultant shaped article is then observed under an ultraviolet lamp to determine fluorescence variation, such variation corresponding to density gradients in the article.

Abstract: The material of the present invention is a filled polymeric material, the material comprising, or consisting essentially of, a thermosetting polymeric material formed from the at least one monomer; the thermosetting polymeric containing a nano-porous inorganic gel material, the inorganic gel material having a sufficient degree of porosity for the monomer(s) such that the inorganic gel material is capable of bonding to the thermosetting polymeric material during polymerization. The present invention also includes an method for the production of such filled polymeric materials.

Abstract: A porous surface radiant burner assembly provided with a porous burner substrate having a surface including a layer of zircon and an overlying layer of zirconia formed in situ upon exposing the zircon layer to radiant burner operating conditions. The porous surface burner substrate can be in the form of a mat of randomly oriented fibers coated with zircon, a solid parted plate of zircon or a different ceramic provided with a coating layer of zircon, or a reticulated foam comprising either zircon or a different ceramic material coated with zircon. Preferably in the method of making the porous burner substrate, the zircon layer is merely exposed to the intended operating conditions of the radiant burner wherein during the initial degradation of the zircon layer, a continuous, adherent layer of zirconia is formed in overlying relationship to the layer of zircon to resist further degradation.

Abstract: A fiber matrix burner and method of manufacture in which a shaped burner element is formed by accreting a slurry onto a foraminous support. The slurry is comprised of ceramic fibers, a binding agent, a vaporizable filler, and a powdered, normally non-flammable aluminum alloy having a melting point between 660.degree. C. and 1,000.degree. C. After the drying and firing, a porous matrix of the fibers is formed which flamelessly combusts a fuel-air mixture. During combustion, the aluminum alloy inhibits growth of alumina crystals on the fiber surface to prolong burner life and, in addition, protects the burner both from extreme temperature and flashback.

Abstract: A gas-fired radiant tube that employs heterogeneous catalytic combustion, and a high combustion efficiency, low NO.sub.x catalytic combustion radiant tube heating system, incorporating the radiant tube, are disclosed. In the system, essentially mirror image, combined inlet/exhaust units containing heat regenerator units are connected at opposite ends of the catalytic combustion tube. Combustion flow is cycled back and forth through the units and the combustion tube so that during any given cycle the hot exhaust gases heat the regenerator in the exhaust side of the flow for preheating the inlet gases during the next, reversed flow cycle and the natural gas fuel is completely oxidized. Thus, the cycled flow completely consumes the fuel and constantly preheats inlet air so that the sytem provides both high combustion efficiency and high thermal efficiency.